Huddersfield Giants star Leroy Cudjoe delighted by England call

GIANTS’ Leroy Cudjoe was delighted to be called into Steve McNamara’s England squad for the coming Four Nations tournament – but a little stunned that he was the only Huddersfield player called to action.

GIANTS’ Leroy Cudjoe was delighted to be called into Steve McNamara’s England squad for the coming Four Nations tournament – but a little stunned that he was the only Huddersfield player called to action.

Cudjoe, who will join former Giants skipper McNamara’s squad for training in Loughborough this week, was in the running alongside Giants half backs Luke Robinson and Danny Brough – prop forward Eorl Crabtree having bowed out due to having surgery on a shoulder injury.

However, the Newsome Panthers product was the only one to receive the call and the 23-year-old said: “It is great to be picked for England.

“I had a bit of a slow start to the season, but I felt that I improved as the season went on and that probably has helped.”

But while six Giants travelled Down Under for last year’s Four Nations tournament, Cudjoe admitted Huddersfield’s lacklustre end to the Super League campaign had probably not helped the cause of those seeking international recognition.

“Yes I was a bit shocked that I was the only one picked,” said Cudjoe.

“The guys at the club have always given me plenty of support, but they will not be involved this time and I think that maybe as a group we have been hit by our poor results towards the end of the season – I don’t think it will have helped.”

England coach McNamara was happy with the blend he had put together for the coming tournament – which sees England face Wales on October 29, before games against Australia on November 5 and New Zealand on November 12 – and he said: “I’m happy with the balance and there is an excellent blend of strength, experience and flair.”